A nurse is caring for a client who has a new diagnosis of terminal advanced lung cancer. Which of the following is an expected stage of grief based on the stages of dying?

A. Denial is the first stage in the Kübler-Ross stages of grief. When a client first receives a terminal diagnosis, such as advanced lung cancer, they may initially respond with disbelief, shock, or refusal to accept the reality of the situation. This defense mechanism temporarily protects the individual from the emotional impact of the diagnosis while they begin to process the information. B. Reorganization is not one of the classic Kübler-Ross stages of dying. While some nursing or psychosocial models may use terms like “reorganization” to describe adaptation after acceptance of loss, it is not part of the recognized five stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance). Therefore, it is incorrect in this context. C. Reinvesting is also not part of the Kübler-Ross model. Although individuals may eventually reinvest emotional energy into meaningful relationships or activities after accepting a loss, this concept is associated with long-term adjustment rather than the formal stages of grief used in nursing exams. D. Numbing is not a recognized stage in the Kübler-Ross theory of dying. While emotional numbness can occur as an initial acute stress reaction to bad news, it is not classified as one of the defined stages of grief.